Then [the Sanhedrin] called them in again and commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John replied, “Judge for yourselves whether it is right in God’s sight to obey you rather than God. For we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.” (Acts 4:18–20, NIV 1984).
My Musings – Not everyone will want to hear “about what we have seen and heard.” We will be ridiculed, shunned, and persecuted, making it difficult speak openly about our Lord. “But if I say, ‘I will not mention him or speak any more in his name,’ his word is in my heart like a fire, a fire shut up in my bones. I am weary of holding it in; indeed, I cannot.” (Jeremiah 20:9, NIV 1984). When this happens (ridiculed, shunned, persecuted), “do not worry about how you will defend yourselves or what you will say, for the Holy Spirit will teach you at that time what you should say.” (Luke 12:11–12, NIV, 1984).
My Advice – We may do this boldly. “For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.” (2 Timothy 1:6–7, NIV 1984). Not arrogantly. Rather, “with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.” (1 Peter 3:15–16, NIV 1984).
The Brew Is A Musing 